WASHINGTON (CNN) - Matt Damon and Ben Affleck are teaming up for a new project, but this one probably won't lead to an Oscar.

The two actors are part of a new effort from MoveOn.org to create a television ad in support of Barack Obama's bid for the White House. The liberal group, which endorsed the Illinois senator last month, is asking its 3.2 million members to create a 30 second campaign commercial that "shows what inspires them about the senator's candidacy."

Damon and Affleck, along with film director Oliver Stone and singer John Legend, are among the panel of judges.

"After eight years of President Bush campaigning on fear and war, people are feeling hopeful again. They're eager to talk about what inspires them about our country - and Senator Obama leading it,” Eli Pariser, Executive Director of MoveOn said. “Since creative and grassroots energy has helped power Barack Obama’s campaign from the start, this contest is a great way to deliver that message of hope to voters in Pennsylvania and across the nation.”

In a statement, Affleck said the competition is "a chance for everyone, from aspiring filmmakers to armchair pundits, to raise their voices to put Obama over the top."

MoveOn says it will announce the winner before the crucial Pennsylvania primary which takes place early in April. It says the winning ad will air on national television but has not yet decided when. The winner will also win a gift certificate for $20,000 in video equipment.

The group held a similar competition in 2004, asking members then to create a "Bush in 30 Seconds" campaign ad. The organization received 1,500 entries in that contest.

soundoff(213 Responses)

Rohit

Affleck and Damon are known to be politically active. It is good they think about well being of the country.

Mona at 6:04 – do you really think it is Obama's idea? You think Obama would have called moveon.org that Jack Nicholson made an ad for Hillary, please find me s ome celebrities who will do the same for me. Get your head out of ...and smell the air. There is hope.

March 13, 2008 06:28 pm at 6:28 pm |

Iyapo Kontar

Hillary saids she won the big state's and the most electioral vote's.but any Dem that run will win thoses states. But the states that Obama won she can't win, so ask her can she win without the vote he has won.

March 13, 2008 06:28 pm at 6:28 pm |

New York expat in Santo Domingo

They're not Superdelgates, but they're pretty super. Good, smart guys who can bring their celebrity to bear. The "white guys" are coming out for Obama (please note my mock surprize).

This is an appeal to Hillary supporters. She deserves her recognition for her public service. Nobody wants to take that away from her. But, objectively, Obama has cast a bigger net and garnered broader support (including white males – Iowa/Wyoming...Texas). At some point, give him a chance. It is time for the Party to come together.

March 13, 2008 06:28 pm at 6:28 pm |

Jim C.

Wow! Morons from hollywood who play dress up and make believe
are giving advice on who to vote for? The democats agenda is gay marriage,late term abortion for whoever wants it and amnesty to all criminals and illegals in the country and lets blame the Repulicans for all our problems.Now I know why women were not allowed to vote.By and large they are the true morons who support those agendas.t

March 13, 2008 06:28 pm at 6:28 pm |

Cindy

20,000 in video equipment? Sounds like payola for endorsing obama. Is that legal? Even if it isn't how can Sen. Obama allow this to happen after he protested so loudly when a 527 just ran ads for John Edwards, with no prize? Change we can believe. Yeah. Right.

March 13, 2008 06:28 pm at 6:28 pm |

kelly

CNN Please post this for a change.

How can Obama insult the competence of the Bush administration and how Brown handled Katrina when he wasn't even smart enough to put his name on the ballot in Michigan. More of the same incompetence if you ask me. How's damen and Afleck gonna tell us more about that?

March 13, 2008 06:29 pm at 6:29 pm |

bantou

Puzzling to see Obama being blamed for what other people are conjuring up. Obama doesn't have the power to censure anyone who endeavors to show their support for his candidacy.

March 13, 2008 06:29 pm at 6:29 pm |

Dan, Michigan

Whatever about Afleck and Damon. It may attract some more young voters but doubtful, it's his base anyway.
As far as this whole race/gender thing goes... it's sad that it's perpetuated in the Media so much. I'm convinced that the Media is not smart enough to reiterate the candidates' stances on issues and must resort to such simpleminded discourse. It would actually be more helpful to the viewing public if they did reinform the public about their issues of real American concerns.

March 13, 2008 06:29 pm at 6:29 pm |

drew

mona- first of all, obama has no part in this. second of all, obama's supporters came out with the first video a few months ago, long before nicholson and reiner. get your facts straight before criticizing this man.

March 13, 2008 06:29 pm at 6:29 pm |

Akscorpio

From Oprah to Afflack to Damen. Frankly, NObama would probably make more money being a celebrity (am not saying he isn't one already) than a president.... minus power to bomb Pakistan, of course.

Do you not see that the Clinton's are the sleazy, lying, race batting
dirty deceivers of the Carl Rove/Nixonion ilk ?

Do you not have hope in your future ?

Did you read either of Barack Obama's books – I think not !

Please educate yourself and find your way back to believing in character and integrity.

Don't fall for the con team of Billary !

You know in your heart that I am right, don't you !

Vote for a leader with a heart for all the people.

Vote Barack Obama put – Michelle and the kids in the white house.

March 13, 2008 06:32 pm at 6:32 pm |

BJ in Idaho

Obviously Jaysons knowledge of facts is very limited.

March 13, 2008 06:32 pm at 6:32 pm |

Jeff Scott

I wish Move-on.org would just go away.. They are just as bad as most of the republicans when it comes to telling half the truth. As far as Damon and his twin go.. who cares what actors think, they are so out of touch with the real world that they have no clue what a gallon of milk cost, or how to make a sandwich. Rosie, can you make me a sandwich? thanks Rosie...

March 13, 2008 06:32 pm at 6:32 pm |

Mr. B.

It sounds like I have some work ahead of me....Thanks you guys, you will be hearing from me !

America Is Ready
Obama 08

March 13, 2008 06:32 pm at 6:32 pm |

Ian

I support Obama, but does anyone really care what these two hollywood stars are doing? Shouldn't there be a big story about all the GENERALS that recently supported Obama? Come on CNN.

March 13, 2008 06:33 pm at 6:33 pm |

Val

I never liked Affleck, but Damon just lost one of his biggest fans.

Buh bye Matt.

March 13, 2008 06:33 pm at 6:33 pm |

Andre, WI

For all of the people commenting who fail at reading, this is being sponsored by MoveOn.org, not Obama. Nice try on twisting the facts in an effort to slander Obama though. Seems to be par for the course from the Clinton campaign and its supporters/surrogates.

On a completely separate note, who at CNN is writing these news titles and articles? I notice you like to use words like "slams" a lot. That sort of language seems more fitting for a WWF announcer than it does for objective news articles. Please leave the sensational, anything-to-grab-peoples'-attention adjectives and wording OUT of your news articles and write them the way any RESPONSIBLE news organization should. Objectively. What is this? Fox News?

March 13, 2008 06:33 pm at 6:33 pm |

NC Residence

It is a good thought to encourage people to participate in the advertising industry to expose their hidden talents in that field......but it should help OBAMA as we all wish...not to meant for other parties.

OBAMA 2008...!!!!

March 13, 2008 06:33 pm at 6:33 pm |

JoJo

If Senator Clinton wins Pennsylvania she will still be in second place and Senator Obama will be prepared for the next primary or caucus like he has been in the past. You see Obama doesn't put all his eggs in one basket. He is prepared. America doesn't need someone who doesn't look forward and consider the consequences of their actions. America needs a person who is going to use sound judgement as well as preparation to move this great country back in the right direction. Senator Obama has shown the qualities of a great leader (patience, intellect, judgement, character, ability to listen and compromise, tranparency, hard work and yes HOPE).

Don't hate Obama '08!

March 13, 2008 06:33 pm at 6:33 pm |

Anthony In New York City

Sometimes I dream of a non-democracy in this country, then the ding bats that put Bush in office twice and the other ones that are actually excited to see the Clintons return to Pennsylvania Avenue would not have a say. The first five comments above me seriously irritate me, in this democracy people seem to vote on name recognition i.e. Bush- Clinton-McCain or out of habit. I mean seriously I was born in 1982 and its been Reagan 2x, Bush 1x, Clinton 2x and Bush 2x. Yikes!!!! What the hell is wrong with this country. Is it really that hard to step out the box and elect a man who has more ELECTED years than Hillary or is there some other reason these fools just cant pull the lever for OBAMA. Things that make you go, hmmmm?

March 13, 2008 06:33 pm at 6:33 pm |

DrFill

Cheryl, the same thing will happen that happened after Ohio

Obama will win the next 2 states.

She takes one, he takes two.

Two states are better than one.

You'll see in August.

If you......can count.
DrFill

March 13, 2008 06:33 pm at 6:33 pm |

Roxy

It makes all the sense in the world..........remember that Damon doesn't know who he is.......and Affleck is as brilliant as Gigli!
nough said.

March 13, 2008 06:33 pm at 6:33 pm |

Rockymo

Just do not understand this blind love for Hillary anymore. Her campaign might as well be run by Karl Rove. And if Bubba isn't making mistakes people like Ferraro are race bating (remember her?-most failed Democratic campaign in herstory). If Hil scares the Dem.ocratic Sheeple into voting for her get ready for 4 more years of Bush via Mc Cain. After all of this disparaging of Obama no supporter of his will vote for her. They will just stay home. Politics as usual...pity.

March 13, 2008 06:33 pm at 6:33 pm |

rich

Obama has this election in the bag. Hillary supporters are taking a long trip down denile.